What to Do When a Wasp or Bee Stings Your Dog | Hill's Pet Pet Care Center Dogs are curious. They love to run and chase things including insects, which in some cases protect themselves by stinging the dog. Multiple stings are dangerous. Most of the time, an insect sting is just painful and irritating for your dog. Getting stung several times, or stung inside the mouth or throat, is dangerous and requires a trip to the veterinarian. Bee and wasp stings are poisons. The two most common types of stinging insects are bees and wasps. It’s not the small puncture wound that causes the sting's pain, but the small amount of poison that is injected. A bee’s stinger is barbed and designed to lodge in the skin, killing the bee when the stinger detaches from the body Wasp stingers are not barbed but are more painful, and if provoked these insects can sting multiple times Most of the time dogs get stung on their faces from investigating a stinging insect too closely. A sting on your dog’s sensitive nose is particularly painful. Some dogs may even get stung on the tongue or inside their mouth or throat if they try to bite or catch an insect.

These stings can be dangerous., The subsequent swelling can close your dog’s throat and block his airway. Watch for allergic reactions. A severe reaction can be caused by a large number of stings or by an allergic reaction. Signs of a reaction include: General weakness Difficulty breathing A large amount of swelling extending away from the sting site If your dog is having a severe reaction, you need to take the dog to a vet immediately. A simple sting can be safely left alone. It should be bothersome only temporarily. If a stinger is still present, try to remove it by scraping it with a fingernail or a rigid piece of cardboard. Avoid using tweezers or forceps to remove it unless absolutely necessary as this may force more venom out of the stinger. Administer a remedy for the pain. Applying a weak mixture of water and baking soda to the affected area will help reduce the pain. You can also wrap ice or an icepack in a towel and apply it to the wound to reduce swelling and pain. Maintain a watchful eye on your dog. Observe your dog closely after the sting incident to ensure an allergic reaction doesn’t develop. If several days pass and the swelling doesn't go down, notify your veterinarian.

Read more Hill’s dog care tips and discover how to choose the right Hill’s® Science Diet® dog food to meet your dog’s specific needs. Related Pet Care Articles How to Treat Wasp Stings in Dogs? – PetPremium Cat and Dog Care How to Treat Wasp Stings in Dogs? How to Treat Wasp Stings in Dogs? Wasp stings are just as painful for dogs as they are for humans. Once the weather turns warmer and wasps start to dance through the air and across your lawn, your dog is at a very real risk of being stung. Should your dog get stung by one of these buzzing bugs, there is some information that you need to have. Where Is a Dog Wasp Sting Most Common? A dog wasp sting is most common on the bottoms of the feet, the nose, the lips, and the inside of the mouth. These areas are more vulnerable because your dog tends to have its nose to the ground, sniffing away, and is likely to run into a wasp doing what wasps do in the grass. It’s also not unusual for an enterprising dog to snatch a wasp right out of the air.

A dog wasp sting can occur anywhere on the body, but these are the typical areas. What to Do For a Wasp Sting on Dog Wasps, unlike bees, do not leave stingers behind. Wasps have the ability to sting several times in a row, making them more painful than bee stings . For a wasp sting on dog, try to determine the area of injury. Look for a small pinprick of blood, redness , or swelling. Once you find the area of the wasp sting on dog, apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables to it. This will alleviate some of the pain and swelling associated with the sting. Further Treatment Once you have iced the area for as long as your dog will allow you to do so, pat it dry. Once the area is dry, apply a small amount of calamine lotion to it to relieve any subsequent itching . When you have done this, you have done all that you can do. It’s time to keep an eye on your dog for an allergic reaction. What to Do If Your Dog is Allergic Some dogs are hypersensitive to wasp stings.

If your dog begins to drool , if the site of the sting becomes overly swollen, or if your dog begins to vomit , you may be witnessing an allergic reaction. If this happens, you need to get your dog to the nearest veterinary facility as soon as possible. If your dog is breathing without any problems, you have time to call your veterinarian and ask for advice. If the vet suggests that the wasp sting is seen, the vet will undoubtedly give it antihistamines or other medications to counteract the allergic reaction. Follow your vet’s advice when it comes to treatment for your dog. Wasps are a part of summer in many parts of the United States. If your dog is stung and has no allergic reaction , you have no need to worry. If your dog does have an allergic reaction, speak to your veterinarian about creating a wasp sting dog kit to keep at home in the event that your dog is stung again. Quick attention to the wasp sting is the best way to ensure that the reaction does not get out of control. Bee & Wasp Stings - Be(e) Prepared Bee & Wasp Stings - Be(e) Prepared Tweet Bzzzz...

It's fast getting to be bee, wasp, and yellow jacket season. And that means that these insects, and the sting hazard they pose, will soon be present around your yard and in the parks and other places you walk and play with your dogs. If your pet is ever stung by one of these insects, or if they ever eat one (that's right Labs and Spaniels... I'm looking at you!), you may be able to treat them effectively at home, but you may well need to take them to the vet. The severity of any pet's reaction to a sting is difficult to predict and can be highly variable, even within the same pet on subsequent stings. So always be aware and know what to look for. What to look out for when a sting happens In the event of a sting you should watch your pet closely for itchiness, hives/welts on the skin, swollen eyes, vomiting and/or diarrhea, breathing problems, or even collapse. If it's just mild itchiness or swelling (that isn't present on or around their face), and your pet isn't too uncomfortable with it, you may be able to treat them at home.

However, if the swelling is wide-spread (especially around the face and/or neck), the itchiness intense, or there are any digestive signs, breathing problems, or collapse, your pet needs to be seen immediately by a veterinarian for evaluation and treatment. What to do when a sting happens It's a good idea to keep some diphenhydramine at home and in your pet's first aid kits , and to check with your veterinarian in advance to ensure that it's safe for you to give your dog this medication in the event of a sting. Diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in regular Benadryl, and it can be very useful in sting allergic reactions. Note that it doesn't have to be Benadryl brand, as you can also get the generic variety (diphenhydramine) which should work just as well, and cost you less. However, whether you go with generic or brand name, it is vitally important to ensure that you get a medication that ONLY has diphenhydramine as an active ingredient! You don't want any additional pain relievers, decongestants, or other drug types in there.

So no Benadryl Cold and Flu, Benadryl Cold and Allergy, Tylenol PM, Advil PM, or any other combination medications containing diphenhydramine – just straight up diphenhydramine. The typical dose of Benadryl for dogs is 1-2 mg per pound of body weight Here are some examples. If your dog weighs 10 pounds you would give: Liquid Formulation: 10 mg (note: NOT 10 mL) OR If your dog weighs 35 pounds you would give: Liquid Formulation: 35 mg (note: NOT 35 mL) OR Pill: 50 mg And so on, depending on your dog's weight. If your dog's swelling is no better within an hour, or gets worse at any point, you should take them to the vet immediately for evaluation and further treatment. Similarly, if the swelling is present on their face or neck, or if they are having any difficulties breathing, they should be brought immediately to the vet. But what if you don't have Benadryl, or your pet has a known allergy to it?

If your pet does get a sting that just causes mild itchiness or swelling (that’s not present on or around their face), and your pet isn't too uncomfortable with it, you may have success treating them at home with one of the following. Four drug-free treatments for bee stings using regular household items These can be used on dogs or cats. Ice Pack Once you identify the sting area, you should apply an ice pack over the swelling area. Five minutes of icing followed by five minutes without. Repeat this for the first hour or two. Wrap the ice pack in a washcloth to prevent direct skin contact, as direct prolonged skin contact with ice can cause damage. Apple Cider Vinegar You can apply the vinegar to a cotton ball or pad, or Q-tip and hold directly on the stung area. Apple cider vinegar can often neutralize the venom from a bee sting. Do this several times until the swelling subsides. Take care not to get any near your pet’s eye(s). Baking Soda You can easily make a paste of baking soda and water (three parts soda / one part water). Simply apply the paste to the sting area once every two hours for the first day until the swelling goes back down.

Take care not to get any near your pet’s eye(s). Aloe Vera Gel Aloe gel can help sooth your pet’s stung area. You should only use pure aloe (not a lotion or other gels mixed with alcohol or chemicals). Or better yet, use the gel directly squeezed from an aloe plant. Take care not to get any near your pet’s eye(s). If you ever have any concerns or questions following a bee, wasp, or yellow jacket sting you should always contact your veterinarian. And remember, if your pet’s swelling is wide-spread (especially around the face and/or neck), the itchiness is intense, or there are any digestive disorders, breathing problems, or collapse – your pet needs to be seen immediately by a vet for evaluation and treatment. Repeat stings in a short period of time An important point to remember is to not let your pet back out in the yard upon your return home following your pet's treatment for the bee sting that happened in your back yard – though you wouldn't be the first pet owner to do so! Consecutive (repeated) stings that happen close together have a greater chance of resulting in a more severe, more rapid, and more likely-to-be fatal reaction.

Keep your pets out of the yard until you've had an exterminator over to take care of your bee/wasp/yellowjacket problem, if indeed you have one. And for those dogs that have a habit of eating bees and wasps, talk to your veterinarian about pre-treating them with Benadryl prior to letting them out in your yard this time of year, and also consider outfitting them with an Outfox Field Guard to prevent this dangerous habit. Enjoy the outdoors and stay safe! Tweet Please do not ask emergency or other specific medical questions about your pets in the blog comments. As an online informational resource, Preventive Vet is unable to and does not provide specific medical advice or counseling. A thorough physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinary-patient-client relationship is required to provide specific medical advice. If you are worried that your pet is having an emergency or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic medical conditions, please contact or visit your veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline , or your local emergency veterinary care center. Please share your experiences and stories, your opinions and feedback about this blog, or what you've learned that you'd like to share with others.

Cindy Caldwell Charlie and I were stung repeatedly by either yellow jackets or sweat bees. He got it worse than me. We went to emergency where he was given three shots. Where I got stung hurts like the dickens. I can imagine how much pain Charlie is in. He is having trouble getting comfortable. What can I do to help him?. Preventive Vet Hi Cindy, Sorry to hear about your bee stings! We hope you and Charlie are feeling better now. Unfortunately we couldn't respond to your comment right away and can't provide much by way of advice since this needs to come from the vet who has seen and treated Charlie. Hopefully you called the ER or your regular vet to give an update on his progress - vets want to hear how their patients are doing and will provide advice if their condition changes. Without knowing what shots he got and the rest of his medical history, there aren't any recommendations we can make. Keep in mind what Dr. J wrote in the article, that repeat stings that happen close together can cause more complications. Please keep Charlie indoors as much as possible for the next little while. We hope you're both doing well!

-Stacy Hi Madeline, You know your dog best, so when there is a medical concern, we encourage you to call or visit your dog's veterinarian. They can examine your girl and determine what type of treatment is needed. -Stacy Maria My chihuahua had an allergic reaction to a bee sting, took her to the vet ...and she is ok now. I was wonder once she had an allergy reaction is she gonna have it every time she eats a bee or the medicine she got at ER acts like a shot. So, is she gonna be allergic to bee stings for life? Preventive Vet Hi Maria, Your pup will always react to beestings, and the shot she got does not act like a vaccine, unfortunately. Dr. J recommends being extra cautious with bees for the next month or so, because another sting could potentially cause a more severe reaction. Hopefully you have an idea of what to watch out for to keep your dog from being stung again, but it's wise to also keep oral Benadryl on hand at home.

-Stacy Preventive Vet While Benadryl spray may help to decrease redness and swelling at the site of the sting, it won’t have any effect systemically (throughout the rest of the body). So if there’s any swelling, hives, redness or any other problems elsewhere on his/her body, or any vomiting, diarrhea, or collapse, then the spray will be of no benefit. And you also need to take precautions to not spray anywhere near your dog’s eyes. -Dr. J Bobbie Applegate My dog Henry is highly allergic to be stings. He has been stung 3 times in his 7 short years of life. He has to be rushed to the er and treated for anaphylactic shock EVERYTIME which is very expensive and very SCARY!! He has always come out of it but it's not a guarantee all the time. I'm terrified to let him in our back yard during this time of year. He goes potty out there and loves to play outside. What can I do aside from keeping him in a bubble or inside all the time t Preventive Vet Hi Bobbie, I can definitely understand your concerns about letting your pup outside.

A few options would be perhaps pre-treating your dog with Benadryl or keeping an EpiPen at home. However, because every pet is unique, it's very important to have this conversation with your vet. We hope that you and your vet can determine a good solution so your pup can continue to enjoy the outdoors this summer! -Dr. J Bobbie Applegate I've looked into getting an epipen. My vet gave me a rx for it. I called around to 3 pharmacy And the cheapest pen was $648.00. How in the world do people afford this?? It is outrageous!! If you can recommend a cheaper alternative or website please advise. Preventive Vet The high cost of Epipens was recently discussed in an article, which you can read here: Aside from an Epipen, your options are pre-treating with Benadryl (be sure to discuss with your vet), get an exterminator out to your yard, putting an Outfox field guard over your dog's head, or keeping your dog out of the yard during the season, unfortunately. -Dr.

J Michelle Maisonneuve Hi Bobbie, I have a Great Dane that is allergic to wasps and we have fruit trees! Wasp were making nests everywhere!! I made a strong mix of Peppermint essential oil, water and a little drop of dish soap (helps mix the oil into water) I have sprayed around my yard on my deck and rafters of carport and no wasps have been making nests since I have sprayed. I re-spray every once in a while. Bobbie Applegate Thanks for the advise Michelle ! I purchased some essential peppermint oil from Amazon and will be spraying it around my yard and porch area this weekend! I love the holistic approach though I've put out traps all over both front and back yards. They have actually cut the population down tremendously. Poor Henry is not allowed outside during peak hours. And when he is out he is very cautious tip toeing and looking around as he walks very slowly bless his little heart. He is terrified he will get stung again. I'll let you know how it works.

Thanks again 😊 Rosia Holloway I have a pitbull and he was stung multiple times by yellow jackets he was over the neat in the ground.I immediately gave him 2 benadryls and a pain killer.I also rubbed an insect cream on the sites.I'm not able to take him to the vet right now due to finacial issues but he seems to have calm down now.

Karen Oliver My dog got stung by a wasp in the mouth what can I use Natalie Dog lovet dog may have eaten a wasp :( - BabyGaga Home / Community / Free for All / dog may have eaten a wasp :( dog may have eaten a wasp :( dog may have eaten a wasp :( ♥ The Prodigy Due March 3 (boy); 33 kids; Perth, Australia 5621 posts Sep 12th '12 my dog has been fine all afternoon, then at around 7pm he started doing this licking constantly which he does when something is stuck in his teeth or something in his mouth so i thought nothing of it till i looked at him then i noticed his right side of his mouth looked puffed out i still thought something was in his mouth then i realised his neck is a little swollen on that side too. im not sure what has happened but he always chases bees and wasps in the garden could he have eaten one or been stung by one? what can i do for him? should i take him to the vet when it opens in the morning?

im pretty worried its clearly hurting because i touched it and he showed his teeth which he has never done before.but he didnt yelp at all today. urgghhh just what i need. **Blessed_Insanity** 7 kids; Wyoming 19410 posts Sep 12th '12 Quoting ♥ axel sean n me:" my dog has been fine all afternoon, then at around 7pm he started doing this licking constantly which ... [snip!] ... i touched it and he showed his teeth which he has never done before.but he didnt yelp at all today. urgghhh just what i need." My dog Henna eats wasps all the time and gets stung...she has never swollen up as bad as you are describing...I would try giving him son benedryl and if he is not looking better in 15 mind take him to the vrt Etha 6 kids; 3 angel babies; Blytheville, Arkansas 285 posts Sep 12th '12 Just give him some Benadril, you can google the proper dosage for his weight. That's all the vet did when my lab ate a bee.

:) ☆jeep_mama☆ 17 kids; Grand Rapids Charter Township, Michigan 10963 posts Sep 12th '12 Quoting ♥ axel sean n me:" my dog has been fine all afternoon, then at around 7pm he started doing this licking constantly which ... [snip!] ... i touched it and he showed his teeth which he has never done before.but he didnt yelp at all today. urgghhh just what i need." I would take him in asap, not in the morning. His trachea could swell up in a matter of minutes and you might not realize it until its too late. Better to be safe than sorry. Mum to a Monster TTC since Jan 2014; 1 child; 5 angel babies; Colorado 11565 posts Sep 12th '12 If he ate a wasp, there isn't much that can be done. I've personally never heard of a dog having an allergic reaction to a sting, if that is what you are getting at...but i'm no vet either.

My dogs will purposefully bugger the bees and such so they can eat them :x I would keep an eye on him, but more than likely there may not be much that can be done. **Blessed_Insanity** 7 kids; Wyoming 19410 posts Sep 12th '12 Quoting Mum to a Monster:" If he ate a wasp, there isn't much that can be done. I've personally never heard of a dog having an allergic ... [snip!] ... and such so they can eat them :x I would keep an eye on him, but more than likely there may not be much that can be done." Yeah dogs like humans can be allergic to bee sting...if her dog is having an alerergic reaction they can give him an Epi shot ♥ The Prodigy Due March 3 (boy); 33 kids; Perth, Australia 5621 posts Sep 12th '12 Quoting Etha:" Just give him some Benadril, you can google the proper dosage for his weight. That's all the vet did when my lab ate a bee. :)" where can i get benadril from?

♥ The Prodigy Due March 3 (boy); 33 kids; Perth, Australia 5621 posts Sep 12th '12 Quoting ☆jeep_mama☆:" I would take him in asap, not in the morning. His trachea could swell up in a matter of minutes and you might not realize it until its too late. Better to be safe than sorry." its 9.20pm so its closed till morning :( ♥ The Prodigy Due March 3 (boy); 33 kids; Perth, Australia 5621 posts Sep 12th '12 Quoting Mum to a Monster:" If he ate a wasp, there isn't much that can be done. I've personally never heard of a dog having an allergic ... [snip!] ...

and such so they can eat them :x I would keep an eye on him, but more than likely there may not be much that can be done." thats the only thing i could think of that it might be but i could be wrong it could be something else, maybe he knocked it on something, hes just turning 2 and still extremely hyper so anything could have happened really :( **Blessed_Insanity** 7 kids; Wyoming 19410 posts Sep 12th '12 Quoting ♥ axel sean n me:" where can i get benadril from?" It may not be called benedryl in your area..any sort of allergy medicinethat you have over the counter should work...however I would talk to your pharmacists JustDucky 2 kids; Lubbock, TX, United States 1189 posts Sep 12th '12 My Ridgeback is allergic to bees and loves to eat them. He swells too. Give 1mg per lb. my guy is 65lbs, so I give him 75mg (3 capsules). We keep it on hand for those occasions.

Keep an eye on him, if the swelling doesn't start to go down within the hour, head to a vet. It maybe be a bad enough reaction where he needs steroids. JustDucky 2 kids; Lubbock, TX, United States 1189 posts Sep 12th '12 ♥ The Prodigy Due March 3 (boy); 33 kids; Perth, Australia 5621 posts Sep 12th '12 Quoting JustDucky:" My Ridgeback is allergic to bees and loves to eat them. He swells too. Give 1mg per lb. my guy is ... [snip!] ... swelling doesn't start to go down within the hour, head to a vet. It maybe be a bad enough reaction where he needs steroids." hmm i wonder if vets are open at this time, ill call around but i doubt it. funny enough hes actually got ridgeback in him too! but hes tiny, like the size of an english staffy.

♥ The Prodigy Due March 3 (boy); 33 kids; Perth, Australia 5621 posts Sep 12th '12 Quoting **Blessed Insanity **:" It may not be called benedryl in your area..any sort of allergy medicinethat you have over the counter should work...however I would talk to your pharmacists" ok thanks :) How to Deal With Bee & Wasp Stings in Dogs | Pets4Homes How To Deal With Bee & Wasp Stings In Dogs Pin it It goes without saying that with the lovely warmer weather, people and their pets like to spend as much together as they can in the great outdoors. However, with the hotter weather comes a lot of biting and stinging insects which dogs being dogs often like to chase. It's only natural for our canine friends to rush around with their noses on the ground picking up all those lovely new scents when they are out on a walk or in the garden and this is when they are very likely to be stung. Some dogs love chasing bumble bees as they hover over the grass and flowers taking them in their mouths which can be a bit of a problem.

They also love rummaging around in the undergrowth so the chances of them getting stung by a flying (or other) insect are pretty high. If you are out in a garden with your pet, you may even hear your four-legged friend let out a yelp when it happens. The result could be a slight and soft swelling on their faces and muzzles although many dogs get stung on their paws too. If you own a dog with a short coat, you may even see a few raised bumps and blotches on their body as well. Stings on Paws are Common More often than not, dogs are stung on their paws as they cavort around because a bee or a wasp is on the ground – the result is a sting on their pads as they step on the insect and when this happens it's a lot harder to see and remove the "stinger". However, your dog may be limping and looking a little sorry for themselves which all too often owners think is a result of some sort of injury to a joint or torn a nail when it fact it's an insect sting that's causing the problem.

When dogs get stung on their paw pads, they tend to nibble and chew at their foot because it is itchy but not actually that painful. But with this said, just as with people who get stung, your pet will feel a little discomfort but a insect sting is not a terribly serious problem for the majority of our canine friends. Some dogs, however, may have an allergic reaction or if they get stung on a more sensitive area like their mouths, it can turn into a bigger problem. Looking for free pet advice for your Dog?. Click here to join the UKs favourite pet community - PetForums.co.uk Dogs Can Suffer Allergic Reactions to Stings If your dog does suffer an allergic reaction to a bee, wasp or other insect sting, it might cause their windpipe to swell up which in turn can make it very hard for them to breath. If the swelling continues, it may even cut off their breathing altogether which means they end up by suffocating. This is why when a dog is stung either on their mouths or throats – you would need to treat the situation as an emergency. With this said, treating a sting on a paw pad or elsewhere on your pet's body is pretty straight forward.

Wasp stings typically do not leave "stingers" behind but if the sting was from a bee, the chances are the stinger will be left in your pet's body. Sometimes you can see it sticking out and it may even be pulsing. You should try to remove the stinger if you can before neutralising the stinging sensation your pet is feeling with the right sort of antidote. You should never try to squeeze a stinger out because this will only end up injecting more venom into your pet making it a lot more painful for them. The best way to remove a stinger is to scrape it off by using a sharp edged piece of plastic - credit cards are great for this purpose. You need to scrape the stinger off in one single stroke making sure you do this on the diagonal. Was it a Bee or Wasp Sting? The chances are you would not know whether it was a bee or a wasp that stung your dog which can be a bit of a problem. It's essential that you don't attempt to neutralise the venom before actually knowing this because it could result in making things more painful for your pet.

The best way forward if you do not know, is to bathe the sting in cold water or even use ice packs on it and you would need to do this for around 15 minutes so that you effectively reduce any swelling and itchiness. If you know what insect stung your dog, the two great treatments can usually be found in your kitchen cupboard and a good way of remembering which to use on what sting are as follows: Bee sting – Bicarbonate of soda Wasp sting – Vinegar Bee stings are acidic therefore you need to use anything that's alkaline in order to neutralise the venom and the best thing that can be found in most kitchens is bicarbonate of soda. On the other hand a wasp sting is alkaline which means it needs to be neutralised using a diluted acid solution and the best thing that you'll find in most kitchen cupboards that fits the bill is vinegar although lemon juice works very well too. How to Ease the Irritation The best way to ease the itchiness and irritation of a sting is to place an ice pack or a cold compress on the affected area.

If your pet has a nasty reaction to the sting and you had to take them to the vet, they may well prescribed an antihistamine which will help ease the discomfort too and one that vets like to use is Piriton. However, Piriton has to be prescribed by a vet and you should never give it to your dog without them first having been seen by a vet. The reason being that some dogs may have a reaction to the active ingredient contained in Piriton which could prove more dangerous to them than the reaction to a sting – in a worst case scenario, it may even prove fatal. Hill's Pet Nutrition Back What to do when a wasp or bee stings your dog Dogs are curious. They love to run and chase things including insects, which in some cases protect themselves by stinging the dog. Multiple stings are dangerous. Most of the time, an insect sting is just painful and irritating for your dog. Getting stung several times, or stung inside the mouth or throat, is dangerous and requires a trip to the veterinarian. Bee and wasp stings are poisons. The two most common types of stinging insects are bees and wasps.

It’s not the small puncture wound that causes the sting's pain, but the small amount of poison that is injected. A bee’s stinger is barbed and designed to lodge in the skin, killing the bee when the stinger detaches from the body Wasp stingers are not barbed but are more painful, and if provoked these insects can sting multiple times Most of the time dogs get stung on their faces from investigating a stinging insect too closely. A sting on your dog’s sensitive nose is particularly painful. Some dogs may even get stung on the tongue or inside their mouth or throat if they try to bite or catch an insect. These stings can be dangerous. The subsequent swelling can close your dog’s throat and block his airway. Watch for allergic reactions. A severe reaction can be caused by a large number of stings or by an allergic reaction. Signs of a reaction include: General weakness Difficulty breathing A large amount of swelling extending away from the sting site If your dog is having a severe reaction, you need to take the dog to a vet immediately. A simple sting can be safely left alone. It should be bothersome only temporarily.

If a stinger is still present, try to remove it by scraping it with a fingernail or a rigid piece of cardboard. Avoid using tweezers or forceps to remove it unless absolutely necessary as this may force more venom out of the stinger. Administer a remedy for the pain. Applying a weak mixture of water and baking soda to the affected area will help reduce the pain. You can also wrap ice or an icepack in a towel and apply it to the wound to reduce swelling and pain. Maintain a watchful eye on your dog. Observe your dog closely after the sting incident to ensure an allergic reaction doesn’t develop. If several days pass and the swelling doesn't go down, notify your veterinarian. Read more Hill’s dog care tips and discover how to choose the right Hill’s® Science Diet® dog food to meet your dog’s specific needs. Related Articles Bee and Wasp Stings Symptoms and Treatments in Dogs and Cats | Pet First Aid at Wiki-pet.com Condition Overview Fur protects most of their bodies, but pets can be bitten or stung on their sparsely furred stomachs or flanks when they blunder into a hive or even a fire ant nest.

Most of the time, the sting or bite causes minor swelling and redness that can be hard to see under the fur and is itchy or painful. Symptoms Some pets can have serious allergic reactions to otherwise harmless insects. It may take only one sting for a pet's muzzle to swell up like a cantaloupe, even if he has been stung on the tail. In rare instances, the reaction also happens on the inside, and a pet's throat swells and shuts of his air supply. This usually happens suddenly, and symptoms include fever or low body temperature, wheezing, trembling, weakness, pale gums, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, and collapse. This is a medical emergency called anaphylactic shock that requires immediate veterinary attention. All symptoms + Wheezing , Vomiting , Swelling , Low Body Temperature , Fever , Difficulty Swallowing , Diarrhea , Collapse , Breathing Rapidly Causes Dogs and cats car often stung on the face, head, or inside the mouth when they try to play with bees and wasps. Caution: Spider Bites - Most spider bites cause painful swelling only at the site, and they are treated just like bee or wasp stings.

A handful of spiders are venomous, and after the initial sharp pain from the bite, pets can develop chills, fever, labored breathing, and shock within 30 minutes to 6 hours. First aid helps, but an injection of antivenin may be necessary, and pets may suffer partial paralysis for days until they recover. If you suspect your pet has been bitten by a poisonous spider, apply ice immediately to slow the spread of venom. Put him in a pet carrier or right in the car, but don't let him walk. Walking can hasten the spread of the poison. Your pet needs veterinary treatment as soon as possible. Diagnosis Diagnosis is made by physical examination of the sting site. Treatment For Anaphylactic Shock Look for signs of shock - Anaphylactic shock is a condition in which the blood circulation shuts down. Symptoms can include pale gums, trembling, weakness, fever or low body temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, fast breathing, and collapse. Pets can die from shock in 10 - 20 minutes unless they get veterinary help. Wrap your pet in a blanket to keep him warm and turn on the car heater if the weather is cool.

You can also put a drop of Karo syrup or honey on your pet's gums to help keep him conscious. Treat the swelling with an OTC remedy - If your pet is conscious and able to swallow, the best thing to do is give him an over the counter antihistamine like Benadryl to counteract the swelling. The liquid usually comes in a dose of 12.5mg per teaspoon - pills are usually 25mg each. Pets will need 1mg for each pound they weigh. This equals 3/4 teaspoon of liquid or 1.2 pill for a 10lb cat or dog. After this, get your pet to the vet as soon as possible. Drain your pets lungs - You pet can make gurgling noises as he struggles to breathe if his lungs fill up with fluid. Pick up a small pet by his hind legs, or life a larger pet around his hips and hold him upside down for 10 seconds to help drain fluid from the lungs. Be prepared to perform artificial respiration - If your pet stops breathing, wrap your hand around his muzzle to close his mouth and blow 2 quick breaths into his nose, watching to see his chest rise.

You may need to blow quite hard to force air past his swollen throat into his lungs. Give 15 - 20 breaths per minute until your pet begins to breathe again or until you reach medical help. Check your pets pulse or heartbeat - Place your palm or ear against the left side of your pet's chest directly behind the elbow to detect the heartbeat. You can also feel the pulse in the crease where his hind leg joins his body, because that is where the large femoral artery runs near the surface. If the heart is not beating, start CPR - For a cat or small dog, cup a hand over the point of the chest just behind the elbows. Squeeze firmly in a "cough-like" manner between your fingers and thumb, pressing about 1.2 inch (12.5cm) about 80 - 100 times per minute. Alternate one breath for every 5 compressions. For a larger dog, put him on a firm, flat surface on his side and use both hands on top of each other to compress his chest by 25 - 50% giving a breath into the nose after every 5th compression until your pet revives or until you reach medical help.

For Routine Stings and Bites Remove the stinger - If you can see the stinger, it is best to remove it. Bees leave their stingers behind, and a stinger may continue to pump venom into the body as long as it remains in the skin. Scrape it free with a credit card, blunt knife blade, or the edge of a finger nail. Try an over the counter remedy - As long as your pet is breathing properly, he probably won't need to see a veterinarian even if his face or head swells quite a bit. An over the counter antihistamine like Benadryl usually takes down the swelling within 20 minutes or so. The liquid usually comes in a dose of 12.5mg per teaspoon - pills are usually 25mg each. Pets will need 1mg for each pound they weigh. This equals 3/4 teaspoon of liquid or 1.2 pill for a 10lb cat or dog. For minor swelling, you can use a Benadryl ointment directly on the wound. Use a cold pack or compress - this will soothe the pain and help reduce the swelling and inflammation.

Rinse a clean washcloth in cold water and hold it against the swollen area, then place a cold pack or plastic bag of ice on top of the wet cloth. Apply the cold to the swelling for 10 - 20 minutes several times a day. A bag of frozen peas or corn works well as a cold pack and molds to the body contours. Make a baking soda poultice - a poultice of baking soda will help neutralize the sting, but this can be messy in fur and isn't very practical unless the sting is on a sparsely furred area. Make a poultice by mixing 1 tablespoon of baking soda with enough water to create a thick paste and dab it on the swelling. Give your pet relief with ammonia - dampen a cotton ball with ammonia and dab it on fire ant bites to relieve itching and pain. Another option is a calamine lotion like Caladryl. Try ice or baking soda - stings inside the mouth can be hard to treat, and your pet may not allow you to touch them. You can offer ice cubes or a bowl of ice, or flush your pet's mouth with a teaspoon of baking soda mixed in a pint of water.

Use a turkey baster or squirt gun to target the sting, but be careful that your pet doesn't inhale any liquid. Prevention There no effective prevention for this condition. Support One dose of an antihistamine like Benadryl probably won't be enough, and the swelling may come back. You can repeat the dose every 6 - 8 hours as needed. Some pets develop hive-like reactions all over their bodies that cause severe itching - and stings tend to itch as they heal. Hives usually go away in about 24 hours (and sooner when treated with antihistamine), but you can relieve the itching with cold water soaks or oatmeal baths. You can give acetaminophen (Tylenol) to dogs to relieve pain. Check with your vet for proper dosage. This type of pain reliever can be dangerous for cats. Your vet can prescribe your cat a safe alternative. Stings inside the mouth can make pets refuse to eat because it hurts to chew. Soften food with warm water or low-fat, no-salt chicken broth, or even make a puree in the blender. Feed soft food for 2 days, or until the pet can manage to eat a regular diet again.

If he hasn't eaten after 2 days, take him to the vet. Pets who have experienced anaphylactic shock from an insect sting will be at risk for future life threatening reactions. Your veterinarian may give you epinephrine, a drug given as an injection beneath the skin to counter act the problem, in a device such as an Epi-Pen. Show Sources & Contributors + What to Do When Your Dog Encounters a Bee, Wasp or Hornet Thinkstock A dog often gets stung on his nose when he snaps at a bee. They say that curiosity killed the cat , but curious dogs don’t fare much better. They become intrigued or aggravated by stinging insects, such as bees, hornets and wasps, and zing! They’ve been stung. Although most of our dogs have a protective covering of fur over their skin, a bee sting hurts them as much as it does us. Besides being painful, it can trigger an allergic reaction that ranges from mild to wild — in a bad way. Here’s how to recognize signs of trouble and relieve the pain if a bee, wasp or hornet stings your pet.

What a Sting Looks Like Pets, dogs in particular, often get stung on their noses — because they stick them where they shouldn’t go — or in their mouths, after snapping at buzzing bees . So the first sign of trouble may be a swollen muzzle. If you didn’t see your dog get stung but he’s running in circles and crying out , or pawing at his face and rubbing it on the ground, it’s a good bet that’s what happened. Look around for evidence, such as a bee on the ground, bees buzzing around flowers in your yard or a nearby beehive or wasp nest. Canines can experience a variety of reactions to bee stings. In mild cases, you may notice them scratching, rubbing, licking or biting at the area stung. The skin may look red. If you’ve ever been stung yourself, you know that it can cause a burning or itching sensation for several minutes. More serious signs include the aforementioned swelling in the head or neck area, severe pain, hives, vomiting and difficulty breathing. A severe allergic reaction to a sting can result in anaphylactic shock, and it’s an emergency .

Some pets may collapse or die if they are extremely sensitive or if they are stung many times. Earlier this year, three dogs in Scottsdale, Arizona, died after being stung multiple times by a swarm of bees. Warning- Wasp and Bee stings can be deadly to our pets Wasp and Bee Stings Can be Deadly to our Pets *Warning* Close-up of a paper wasp Show dog dies from wasp stings Int'l Ch. Double D's Gentleman George June 11, 1997 - May 19, 2000 George will be missed in the biggest way! Heart attack and stroke took him much too early on his way to a dog show in Merlin, Oregon, Indian Mary Park. When his entry number was called, I tearfully had to answer, “Deceased....” George was a Visitation Therapist with a heart of gold, bringing comic relief and smiles to many, and truly the sweetest boy with personality PLUS. We are totally devastated and heartbroken.... Here is how it happened...

Two wasps (rather, their remains) were found in his stomach and the tissue samples showed that when he swallowed them, they went down fighting, as there were wasp stings in several places at the very back of his tongue, down his throat all the way down his esophagus. The report states that anaphylactic shock from these wasp stings appears to have brought on the chain reaction leading to heart failure. It was also reported that the anaphylactic shock can cause the dog's body temperature to spike very high, very quickly (his at time of death was 109 F), thus leading to the stroke. Dissection of heart, lungs and other major organs showed that they were healthy and normal before the stings. "This tragedy was so hard for us to handle and we had to have answers," said his owners. “We had to know why he stroked out and had heart failure so suddenly, when a little over an hour before, he was silly, playful and romping about, as we were backing the last items needed to take with us in the motor-home.” Please take caution with your pets when wasps and bees are in the area. These little pests can be deadly!

What to Do When Your Kitty or Puppy Gets a Bee Sting Email Thinkstock Dogs can be trained to fetch slippers and race through tunnels in agility classes , but it's next to impossible to teach them to stay clear of bees, wasps and hornets. That's because dogs and cats investigate the world using their noses and paws — the two prime targets of insect stings. We spoke to Dr. Arnold Plotnick, DVM , of Manhattan Cat Specialists in New York City, and Dr. Paul Richieri, DVM , owner of the Melrose Veterinary Hospital in California, about what you should do if your dog or cat does suffer an unfortunate sting — and how you can reduce the risk of a bite in your backyard. How to Handle a Bee Sting In most cases, there will be mild swelling and tenderness where the dog or cat was stung, usually on the face or paws, says Dr. Richieri, adding, “if it is swollen and a little puffy, it is a localized reaction to the sting.” To stop the venom from spreading, try to remove the stinger as quickly as possible.

“The stinger can pulsate venom into a dog or cat for up to two to three minutes after being separated from the bee,” Dr. Plotnick explains. “Removal of the stinger should be done using a credit card to scrape it out. Do not try to squeeze the stinger out with your fingers or use tweezers because the venom sac may rupture, further exposing the pet to more venom.” Monitor your pet to make sure that the swelling does not increase or spread. And contact your veterinarian, who will most likely advise you to give your pet Benadryl (diphenhydramine), an over-the-counter antihistamine. Your vet needs to instruct you on the correct dosage, based on your pet's weight. You also need to make sure that the product contains only diphenhydramine. To reduce the swelling, apply a cold compress. You can run a washcloth under some cool tap water and then wrap it around or press it onto the site of the sting. How to Know When Your Pet Needs Emergency Care Some dogs and cats may be allergic to bee stings, and they can go into anaphylactic shock (and even die) if they don’t receive immediate veterinary attention.

“If your dog gets stung by a bee and starts vomiting within five to 10 minutes and his gums become pale, that’s when you know they are going into anaphylactic shock,” Dr. Richieri says. “At our clinic, we see one or two dogs a week with severe reactions, and we treat them with IV fluids to prevent shock and give steroids and Benadryl injections into the bloodstream immediately. They normally need to stay at the clinic for 48 hours before we determine if they are healthy enough to go home.”

Question: If dogs are canine what are wasps?
Answer: Vespine